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The article discusses the interest of New Zealand of building a strong relationship with the U.S. and its accommodation of China. It examines the transformation of power in the Asia-Pacific region such as the shift of the locus of global power to Asia and the changes within the region's distribution of power. It offers the analysis of Australian National University professor of strategic studies Hugh White and Hedley Bull on the major power relations and its implications on New Zealand policy.

A rapid procedure for the targeted isolation of antibacterial compounds from Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) leaf and branch extracts was described in this paper. Antibacterial compounds from three different Manuka samples collected from New Zealand and China were compared. The active compounds were targeted by TLC-bioautography against S. aureus and were identified by HR-ESI-MS, and -MS/MS analysis in conjunction with Compound Discoverer 3.3. The major antibacterial component, grandiflorone, was identified, along with 20 β-triketones, flavonoids, and phloroglucinol derivatives. To verify the software identification, grandiflorone underwent purification via column chromatography, and its structure was elucidated through NMR analysis, ultimately confirming its identity as grandiflorone. This study successfully demonstrated that the leaves and branches remaining after Manuka essential oil distillation serve as excellent source for extracting grandiflorone. Additionally, we proposed an improved TLC-bioautography protocol for evaluating the antibacterial efficacy on solid surfaces, which is suitable for both S. aureus and E. coli. The minimum effective dose (MED) of grandiflorone was observed to be 0.29–0.59 μg/cm2 against S. aureus and 2.34–4.68 μg/cm2 against E. coli, respectively. Furthermore, the synthetic plant growth retardant, paclobutrazol, was isolated from the samples obtained in China. It is hypothesized that this compound may disrupt the synthesis pathway of triketones, consequently diminishing the antibacterial efficacy of Chinese Manuka extract in comparison to that of New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background WHO estimates that seasonal influenza epidemics result in three to five million cases of severe illness (hospitalisations) every year. We aimed to improve the understanding of influenza-associated hospitalisation estimates at a national and global level. Methods We performed a systematic literature review of English- and Chinese-language studies published between 1995 and 2020 estimating influenza-associated hospitalisation. We included a total of 127 studies (seven in Chinese) in the meta-analysis and analyzed their data using a logit-logistic regression model to understand the influence of five study factors and produce national and global estimates by age groups. The five study factors assessed were: 1) the method used to calculate the influenza-associated hospitalisation estimates (rateor time series regression-based), 2) the outcome measure (divided into three envelopes: narrow, medium, or wide), 3) whether every case was laboratory-confirmed or not, 4) whether the estimates were national or sub-national, 5) whether the rates were based on a single year or multiple years. Results The overall pooled influenza-associated hospitalisation rate was 40.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 24.3-67.4) per 100 000 persons, with rates varying substantially by age: 224.0 (95% CI = 118.8-420.0) in children aged 0-4 years and 96.8 (95% CI = 57.0-164.3) in the elderly aged >65 years. The overall pooled hospitalisation rates varied by calculation method; for all ages, the rates were significantly higher when they were based on rate-based methods or calculated on a single season and significantly lower when cases were laboratory-confirmed. The national hospitalisation rates (all ages) varied considerably, ranging from 11.7 (95% CI = 3.8-36.3) per 100 000 in New Zealand to 122.1 (95% CI = 41.5-358.4) per 100 000 in India (all age estimates). Conclusions Using the pooled global influenza-associated hospitalisation rate, we estimate that seasonal influenza epidemics result in 3.2 million cases of severe illness (hospitalisations) per annum. More extensive analyses are required to assess the influence of other factors on the estimates (e.g. vaccination and dominant virus (sub)types) and efforts to harmonize the methods should be encouraged. Our study highlights the high rates of influenza-associated hospitalisations in children aged 0-4 years and the elderly aged 65+ years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to identify the most prolific countries in the field of special education and to discuss the widespread impact of their papers by taking into account the country's h-index. Through a bibliometric analysis, the data were collected in the Web of Science Core Collection category "Education, Special" in the Social Science Citation Index during 2011-2020. The 25 most prolific countries in the field of special education were determined in terms of paper productivity, and it was seen that the leading country was undisputedly the USA (54.42%). Meanwhile, a strong positive correlation was found between the h-index and the number of papers published by the countries (r=0.864). On the other hand, when the ranking in terms of the number of papers was reconfigured by the h-index, it was relatively changed. The possible reasons for this change for the countries with the most changing rankings were discussed by considering some definitive criteria such as the journal quartiles, the percentage of international and domestic, and the percentage of open access papers. This study reports a positive correlation between the quality and quantity in the field of special education for the publications of countries. It has been shown that where the positive correlation deviates, then especially, the journal quartiles, the percentage of international collaboration and the percentage of open access papers have a significant effect. The bibliometric findings may be useful to enrich the discussion about the widespread impact of papers and debate whether the use of h-index is acceptable for cross-national comparisons.

This article reports on a case study that investigated the implementation of New Zealand early childhood education (ECE) beliefs in a kindergarten in China and its implications. The study used a process of document analysis and individual interviews with teachers and parents to collect data. The incorporation of "Western" education approaches is not a new phenomenon in China. This paper uses empirical findings to highlight new concerns regarding this ongoing practice. It analyses the tensions emerging when a foreign curriculum and pedagogy are imported into a local setting without consideration of social and cultural contextual factors. It further scrutinises how imported and global beliefs and practices are responsive to, and sustain, valuable local knowledge that has been embraced and enacted for generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates communication strategies for building business relationships from a semantic perspective (culture-specific interpretation of meanings). The research method is based on discourse analysis of interviews with the New Zealand and Chinese managers. This study suggests that using a semantic perspective provides in-depth analysis of the managers' discourse of target cultures, which complements the prevalent approach of using cultural dimensions. New Zealand and Chinese managers prefer different sets of semantic flames for constructing business relationships. Furthermore, Chinese business managers tend to use interpersonal strategies to initiate a business relationship while New Zealand managers employ inter-group strategies. Both cultures, however, employed interpersonal communication strategies in the maintaining stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to compare Turkish novice teacher induction system with China, New Zealand, and Germany in terms of assignment to teaching, duration of induction, and opportunities provided in programs. Those countries selected are known to have the best practices for induction training. Despite their differing policies regarding novice teacher training, they provide novice teachers with many exemplary aspects of support. The comparison shows that collaboration activities are formalized in three countries, except Türkiye. While novice teachers in Türkiye have the same workload as experienced teachers, novices in the other three countries have a reduced workload and have more free time for education. A mentoring program is being conducted in all countries, including Türkiye. Türkiye has weekly seminars on liberal education topics, while the other three countries have mostly branch-specific seminars. The paper concludes with a discussion of the educational implications of the induction programs.

While ChatGPT has recently become very popular, AI has a long history and philosophy. This paper intends to explore the promises and pitfalls of the Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) AI and potentially future technologies by adopting a speculative methodology. Speculative future narratives with a specific focus on educational contexts are provided in an attempt to identify emerging themes and discuss their implications for education in the 21st century. Affordances of (using) AI in Education (AIEd) and possible adverse effects are identified and discussed which emerge from the narratives. It is argued that now is the best of times to define human vs AI contribution to education because AI can accomplish more and more educational activities that used to be the prerogative of human educators. Therefore, it is imperative to rethink the respective roles of technology and human educators in education with a future-oriented mindset.

An increasing number of Chinese students pursue their higher education degree in an overseas university. This research paper sets out to raise a discussion about some of the major challenges that such Chinese postgraduates might experience when studying at universities in English speaking countries drawing from ethnographic and sociological perspectives. The paper seeks to enhance understanding of a growing phenomenon amongst student communities in Higher Education institutions in English speaking countries. The challenges faced by Chinese students can be disorientating and stressful but overcoming them can lead to opening up of a range of opportunities from which the students can benefit particularly after they have graduated from their study. As many HE institutions come to depend upon the growing number of Chinese students enrolling with them the paper touches upon an issue of cross national concern. Both authors have experience of students seeking to study in English-speaking countries. They are currently pursuing research at the Institute of Education, University College London. The present paper is drawn from a wider programme of research into student exchanges and flows.

Substantial amount of research regarding L2 learners' beliefs has been conducted in recent years. However, not enough attention has been paid to investigating the nature of learners' beliefs; hence our understanding of the construct is contradictory in the sense that early research studies report stability in beliefs, while more recent studies provide evidence of change in learners' beliefs. This paper reports on a case study aiming at contributing to a deeper understanding of the nature of language learners' beliefs. Data were gathered longitudinally over an 18-week period using a number of tools. The findings reveal the complexity of learners' beliefs. The beliefs that the learners held were not always in harmony and some of them can be self-contradictory. Furthermore, while some beliefs may evolve and change over time and across situation, others may remain relatively stable, suggesting the complex and dual nature of learners' beliefs. Drawing on these findings, the paper concludes that learner beliefs can best be perceived as an inter-related construct that has dual features and sometimes can be paradoxical.

Extant research on students' feedback conceptions has reported effects on performance, but the relationship of feedback conceptions to important motivational factors is not empirically evidenced. This study fills this gap by providing empirical data about students' conceptions of feedback in relation to their motivational beliefs and achievement goals. Measurement and structural modelling analyses were based on undergraduate student data from New Zealand domestic (n = 832) and Chinese (People's Republic of China, PRC) international students (n = 504) in New Zealand universities. Based on cross-ethnic invariant measurement models of conceptions of feedback, motivational beliefs, and achievement goals, a structural equation model uncovered links between feedback conceptions, motivational beliefs, and achievement goals. Specifically, feedback conceptions believing in actively using feedback and the value of teacher comments significantly promoted self-efficacy and task value beliefs, as well as mastery and performance-approach goals. In contrast, maladaptive feedback perceptions (i.e., feedback is ignored or used for judging performance against external standards or relative to others) had a minimal-to-negative impact on motivational beliefs and triggered stronger performance-avoidance goals. This study empirically demonstrates that conceptions of feedback support motivational beliefs and goal approaches consistent with previous claims concerning their self-regulatory role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the noticeable nervousness of many US-based financial statement issuers in adopting IFRS. For contextual purposes, the paper provides an overview of the FASB/IFRS convergence so far and its probable future. A detailed review of convergence in accounting standards is explained through the respective standards for "Pensions and Other Post-Employment Benefits". The paper concludes by suggesting that, while one set of global steps is a noble goal, it might not achieve the desired goal of comparability.

There is no mathematical difference between theoretical extreme value models of maxima and minima because they link to each other by a simple sign reversal transformation. However, other transformations that change sample maxima to sample minima raise the possibility of alternatives to the generalised extreme value (GEV) distribution for annual maxima, while still maintaining extreme value justification. A general class of transformation is proposed that converts positive annual maxima to lower-bounded minima, then amenable to Weibull extreme value analysis for sufficiently large sample sizes. That is, the Weibull distribution of smallest extremes provides a theoretical extreme value model for the transformed maxima, which holds irrespective of any GEV form of the original maxima. This would apply, for example, to the analysis of reciprocals of discharge or rainfall annual maxima. A useful feature of the transformation approach is that alternative prediction expressions with extreme value justification can arise for defining event magnitude as a function of return period. These expressions may result in different hydrological conclusions than from a GEV analysis of maxima. A double exponential transformation is introduced and its prediction function for maxima is noted to have capability to mimic equivalent Type 3 extreme value (EV3) distribution expressions, but without having to introduce an upper bound parameter. The new function gives a good fit to apparent EV3 annual flood maxima recorded from two very different catchments: the Yangtze River in China and the upper Whanganui River in New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Country-of-origin (COO) effects are concerned with buyers' opinions regarding the relative qualities of goods and services produced in various countries. It is the aim of this study to test a framework for investigating the match/mismatch between consumers' product category and country image perceptions. Specifically, the paper seeks to examine whether consumers perceive all products emanating from a particular country favourably simply because consumers associate favourable attributes with that country or whether this effect is specific to particular product categories. Design/methodology/approach – The study employed a structured survey administered through mall intercepts. Data were collected from a sample of 188 Australian consumers. While Australian consumers were the focal country of study, countries selected for evaluation included Japan, Korea, the USA, Canada, China and New Zealand. The products selected included beer, automobiles, watches, leather shoes and stereos. Findings – The findings suggest that when a strong favourable match exists between country and product image then COO will positively influence product evaluation and willingness to buy. Conversely, when an unfavourable mismatch is evident COO would negatively influence consumers' product evaluations and willingness to buy. Originality/value – Given that most products originating in foreign countries are subject to country stereotyping or image effects, it is important for marketers and retailers to understand and manage the potential impact of COO effects. This study tests a framework that can be applied by marketers to determine the effect of product and country matches in relevant domestic or international markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rare species, Doryphoribius zyxiglobus, was found in mosses in New Zealand. So far, it has been cited only three times; from Australia, New Zealand and central China. The original description is very brief and is insufficient by today's taxonomic standards and seems not to be based on the holotype. A photograph of the slide mounted holotype (obtained from The Museum of New Zealand) showed it to be so poorly preserved and oriented that it was deemed probable that little would be gained by its further examination. Consequently, the redescription was based on a few limited measurements from the photograph of the holotype with a complete set of measurements of a paratype and supported by morphometric analysis of a set of topotypes—all borrowed from The Museum of New Zealand. A comparison between sets of specimens from three countries (New Zealand, Australia and China) and a single specimen from South Africa permitted an evaluation of the geographic variation of this species. This paper thus redescribes D. zyxiglobus, reports on populations from widely separated locales and extends its geographical range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet usage and commerce are expected to grow significantly across the world. However, as each part of the world is unique in its social norms, culture, and infrastructure, these differences may cause the profiles of Internet shoppers and nonshoppers to be different worldwide. Hence, the importance of understanding the similarities and dissimilarities among consumers in different regions is crucial for both marketing theory and practice. In this paper, the authors report the characteristics relating to attitudes, motivations, and demographics of Internet shoppers in six countries (United States, England, New Zealand, China, Brazil, and Bulgaria), thereby contributing to understanding differences between Internet users and online shoppers in different regions of the world. Findings show that online shoppers share many similar traits around the world. Internet shoppers in all countries examined are similar in regard to their desire for convenience, are more impulsive, have more favorable attitudes toward direct marketing and advertising, and wealthier, and are heavier users of both e-mail and the Internet. Implications of the findings for theory and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this document, we propose a universal definition of heart failure (HF) as a clinical syndrome with symptoms and/or signs caused by a structural and/or functional cardiac abnormality and corroborated by elevated natriuretic peptide levels and/or objective evidence of pulmonary or systemic congestion. We also propose revised stages of HF as: At risk for HF (Stage A), Pre-HF (Stage B), Symptomatic HF (Stage C) and Advanced HF (Stage D). Finally, we propose a new and revised classification of HF according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). This includes HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF): symptomatic HF with LVEF ≤40%; HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF): symptomatic HF with LVEF 41-49%; HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF): symptomatic HF with LVEF ≥50%; and HF with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF): symptomatic HF with a baseline LVEF ≤40%, a ≥10 point increase from baseline LVEF, and a second measurement of LVEF > 40%., (© 2021 European Society of Cardiology and Elsevier, Inc.)

Western mothers use more mental state talk with children than do Chinese mothers (e.g., "think", "like", "happy"). The present study aimed to examine whether Western mothers not only produced a greater amount of mental state talk, but also used a wider range of mental state terms (i.e., greater lexical variety) compared to Chinese mothers. We compared maternal mental state talk in 271 mother-child dyads from New Zealand, Australia and China, and coded both quantity (i.e., frequency) and quality (i.e., type, variety, valence) of mothers' mental state talk to their 2.5- to 5-year-olds. Western mothers produced more talk about cognitions and emotions, as well as modulations of assertions, but a similar amount of desire talk, compared to Chinese mothers, with the same patterns found in the variety of talk. Western mothers produced an overall higher amount of mental state talk and a greater variety of mental state terms, but crucially, still produced more MS talk after controlling for the variety. Neither the amount nor the variety of maternal MS talk was correlated with children's theory of mind. These findings shed light on the diverse ways that mothers construe and describe mental states in different cultures, and highlight the importance of examining different aspects of maternal mental state talk and their impact on children's theory of mind in future longitudinal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Educational transitions are widely recognised as being key points that can influence a student's later success. Transitions are not limited to the beginning of a period of study; they can occur at any stage. The adjustments that come with transitioning can be unsettling and isolating. These feelings can be compounded by the nature of the studies and the distance from the place of study. This paper reflects on the importance of recognising that the transition from being a student within a cohort to being an independent thesis student can be quite isolating for many students, especially those who are studying at a distance. In an attempt to provide extra support and to minimise the effect of isolation, team supervision was trialled for two groups of distance supervised Doctor of Business Administration students based in China. The model incorporated peer groups and research communities for students with similar research topics. Overall, the pilot was successful in supporting the students' transition, but identified the need for flexibility to manage students who progress at different rates.

Seamless learning has a significance that has been increasing in recent years, and an increasing number of studies on the subject in the literature draws attention. This study aimed to examine the research on seamless learning between 1996 and 2020 with the bibliometric analysis method. The Scopus database was used in the collection of the data. After various screening processes, a total of 389 publications were included in the analysis. Descriptive analysis and bibliometric analysis were used in the analysis of the data. The distribution of publications by years, types of publications, sources, and languages were analyzed in the research. Additionally, visual maps were created with analyses of co-author, cocitation, and co-word. At the end of the study, it was seen that there has been an increase in the number of publications from the past to the present, articles and papers were predominant, and that most of the studies were carried out in English. As a result of bibliometric analysis, it was concluded that the most efficient countries in seamless learning were the United Kingdom, the United States, and Singapore. Also, it has been determined that the National Institute of Education, Center for International Education and Exchange, and Kyushu University institutions are dominant. The most frequently mentioned authors cited in studies in many different fields are M. Sharples, L.-H. Wong, and H. Ogata. According to the co-word analysis, the keywords seamless learning, mobile learning, ubiquitous learning, and mobile-assisted language learning stand out in the field of seamless learning.

This paper explains various good practices and perspectives of Early Childhood Education across the nation. A good number of reviews across the globe has collected from various sources, research projects, PhD thesis and so on which put categorized as knowledge base, developmentally appropriate practice, observation and assessment, positive behavior guidance, inclusive practices, personal professional development. The research mainly focused on the pedagogical process, language development, social and cultural perspectives of preschools. Theses good practices also implemented and recommended at national level of those nations to their preschool/ Early Childhood Education Curriculum policies.

INTRODUCTION: Migrant Chinese constitute a significant and increasing proportion of New Zealand women. They have lower rates of participation in breast cancer screening than other New Zealanders, but reasons for this are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting Chinese women's understanding of, and access to, breast health services, to better understand reasons for low participation in screening and their experiences of breast cancer clinic care. METHODS: The participants were 26 Chinese migrant women--19 recruited in the community and seven recruited from 17 eligible women attending a breast clinic between 2008 and 2010 in Wellington, New Zealand. The design was that of a qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews and thematic content analysis. FINDINGS: There were low levels of awareness about the national breast screening programme and limited engagement with preventive primary care services. Concerns about privacy and a range of communication difficulties were identified that related to oral language, lack of written information in Chinese, and limited understanding about Chinese perceptions of ill health and traditional Chinese medicine by New Zealand health professionals. CONCLUSION: Addressing communication barriers for Chinese migrant women has the potential to raise awareness about breast cancer and breast health, and to increase successful participation in breast cancer screening. Greater efforts are needed to ensure this group has an understanding of, and is engaged with a primary care provider. Such efforts are key to improving health for this growing sector of the New Zealand population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Information and communications technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for innovation in educational practice. Among all the educational technological tools, online discussion forums represent one of the most extensively adopted educational media in higher education. Yet a review of the literature indicates a lack of empirical studies investigating how learners utilize this tool to afford their language learning. This study aims to address this gap in the literature. Using thematic analysis, postings of 20 second language (L2) learners in a peer-moderated online discussion forum were analysed. Qualitative thematic analysis of the data revealed that the online discussion forum facilitated the co-construction of subject matter knowledge and enhanced learners' critical understanding. The postings also showed that during the interactive, collaborative inquiry, students encouraged and helped each other emotionally and academically which helped foster group affiliation and learner autonomy. These findings suggest that the online discussion forum has many affordances which are conducive to effective learning. The paper concludes with pedagogical implications and suggestions for future research.

Biocides, in the form of sanitisers and disinfectants, are used extensively to reduce the risk of microbial contamination to beverage products and to ensure the safety of potable water used in processing. To better understand consumers' perceptions of biocide use and to explore messaging strategies regarding their importance to ensure product safety, eight focus groups were conducted in New Zealand (n = 4) and China (n = 4). Consumers generally did not understand why or how biocides were used. In both countries, their most trustworthy source of information on biocide use was government sources. New Zealand and Chinese participants did not like the word "biocide" mentioned on labels due to its perceived negative connotations. Interestingly, acceptance for the word was higher if the phrase "environmentally friendly" was simultaneously communicated. The findings from this study have provided the beverage industry with guidance on how best to initiate conversations with consumers on the use of biocides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper focuses on response strategies to humour as listener activities. Drawing on authentic discourse data collected in two workplaces, one in Hong Kong and one in New Zealand, we explore the complex and versatile listener activity of responding to two particularly ambiguous and thus interesting types of humour: teasing and self-denigrating humour. Using the framework of rapport management () we look at how these types of humour are responded to in relationships that are unequal in terms of power: we explore some of the ways in which subordinates in our workplace data deal with the potentially face-threatening situation that emerges when their superiors use self-denigrating humour or teasing. A particular focus is on listeners’ strategies to resolve this tension and to manage sociality rights as well as to do face-work (by considering interlocutors’ quality and identity face). Our analysis indicates that by employing and often combining various different response strategies, listeners achieve a range of functions simultaneously: they signal recipiency, respond to the hierarchical relationship between interlocutors, and they attend to their own as well as their superiors’ face needs. However, members of the different workplaces differ substantially in their choice of response strategies. We argue that analyses of response strategies in asymmetrical relationships and rapport management strategies in general need to take into consideration both the wider socio-cultural context in which they occur as well as the specific norms and practices that characterise interlocutors’ communities of practice (CofPs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, China has increasingly attracted attention from commentators for being an 'emerging' and controversial partner in the Pacific region challenging the status quo. Despite this narrative, China has had deep-rooted connections throughout many parts of the Pacific, including Samoa. Throughout the last century, a number of external laws and policies have played a part in enabling the interactions of the Chinese in Samoa, creating the foundation for Chinese-Samoan relations at a people-to-people level. The first wave of Chinese migrants settled in Samoa in the late 19th century, with a select few becoming established business entrepreneurs prior to the influx of indentured labourers from China administered under German and New Zealand control. While Chinese migrants have continued to settle in Samoa, more recently there has been a notable increase of Chinese influence in the form of trade, investment and foreign aid. Since becoming independent in 1962, and officially forming diplomatic ties with China in 1975, Samoa has been able to assert and navigate its own relations with China at a diplomatic level. Building on historical remnants, China's growing influence has changed the geopolitical context in the region. China's evolving influence since the late 1970s -- and particularly over the last few decades in the form of trade, investment and foreign aid -- has seen China become a significant partner in the wider Pacific region. China has become one of the top donors in the Pacific region, with traditional partners urging caution to Pacific recipients. This article explores how China's influence in Samoa has evolved over the last century through migration, trade, investment and in its bilateral relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for an increasingly skilled competitive workforce and the associated demand for change and responsiveness in the provision of technical vocational education and training (TVET) has led to the development of stronger links between New Zealand and the People's Republic of China. A collaborative model programme project aims to improve TVET provision in the two countries through curriculum re-design, joint programme development, and the delivery of quality New Zealand qualifications in China. Because there is there is often a gap or disconnect between policy intent and classroom reality, a critical activity of the model programme project aims to identify and measure when, how, and where this disconnect occurs. This paper identifies the performance indicators that are used to measure learner and institutional success, highlights the strategies used to evaluate the learning environments created, and reports on the development and validation of a user-driven, flexible, internet-based, learning environment instrument for use in multi-national TVET settings. It argues that this instrument provides model programme stakeholders with sufficient data to understand, economically and efficiently, the actual effect of change at the point of delivery.

The article discusses governmental incentives for researchers to publish their findings in international journals, arguing that the lack of increase in the number of articles published by U.S. scientists is attributable to international competition created by changes in incentives. The authors of the study looked at the number of papers submitted to the journal "Science" by scientists in the U.S. as well as in countries such as Great Britain, New Zealand, and China which reward publications with cash bonuses, funding, and career-based incentives. They conclude that such incentives are positively correlated with the number of both submissions and publications.

Background: One in four Australians is born overseas and 47% are either born overseas or have a parent who was. Obstetric and psychosocial risk factors for these women may differ.Method: Data from one Sydney hospital (2012-2013) of all births recorded in the ObstetriX database were analysed (n = 3,092). Demographics, obstetric and psychosocial risk profile, obstetric interventions and complications and selected maternal and neonatal outcomes were examined for women born in Australia and overseas.Results: Women born in Australia were younger, more likely to be primiparous (28.6 v 27.5%), be obese (32.0% v 21.4%), smoke (19.7 % v 3.0%), have an epidural (26.2% v 20.2%) and were less likely to have gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (6.8% v 13.7% when compared to non-Australian born women. The highest rates of GDM, Gestational Hypertension (GH) and maternal anaemia were seen in women born in China, the Philippines and Pakistan respectively. Differences were also seen in psychosocial screening between Australian and non-Australian women with Australian-born women more likely to smoke and report a mental health disorder. There was an association between having an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) ≥ 13 and other psychosocial issues, such as thoughts of self-harm, domestic violence, childhood abuse etc. These women were also less likely to breastfeed. Women with an EPDS ≥ 13 at booking compared to women with EPDS ≤12 had a higher chance of being diagnosed with GDM (AOR 1.85 95% CI 1.14-3.0).Conclusions: There are significant differences in obstetric and psychosocial risk profiles and maternal and neonatal outcomes between Australian-born and non-Australian born women. In particular there appears to be an association between an EPDS of ≥13 and developing GDM, which warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study on intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in relation to a conflict between intellectual property rights (IPR) and human rights, and it mentions the economic damages that is caused by the misuse and misappropriation of ICH. Social involvement and international copyright law protections are addressed, along with industrial design, collective trademarks, and IPR protections in places such as China. New Zealand's trademark laws and India's Patent Act are assessed.

As new technologies become less expensive, provide greater access to various forms of multimedia, and are integrated into all aspects of everyday life, online learning environments are becoming more prevalent. Online education, as experienced through course management systems, is being heralded as meeting the needs of students' lifestyles by managing time conflicts and access from remote locations, and helping people to juggle personal commitments (Harrison & Bergen, 2000). However, research indicates that improvements are needed to prevent high drop-out rates and to improve learning results (Byun, et al., 2000; Carr, 2000; Moshinskie, 2001). Online distance education courses need to be designed in such a way that learners with different backgrounds and preferred learning approaches will feel motivated and gain the best possible learning results from such courses. It is a challenge for instructional designers of online education courses to determine learners' preferred learning approaches and related social and cultural issues, and to design learning environments to meet these needs. Designers of such programs should consider cultural differences in their design as students of different cultural backgrounds may have different perspectives and interpretations of learning content (Driscoll, 2000; Gayeski, et al., 2002; Moshinskie, 2001). The case used for this study was a graduate seminar delivered fully online using asynchronous computer-mediated conferencing communication (CMC) for class participants to discuss topics and issues raised from the reading materials assigned by the instructor. Based on a review of literature on asynchronous CMC, the author lists the benefits of this medium as flexibility, participation quantity and quality, communication openness/access, and post-participation review/access for references. Morse also lists various challenges such as technology frustration, coordination, timing/delay frustration, and skills deficits. The author points out that even though culture is a primary factor in "determining individual behavior patterns, and provides the paradigm by which experience is interpreted, assimilated, and adapted"(p. 40), a systematic consideration of the role culture plays in CMC is missing in the literature. This paper discusses different definitions of culture, such as "shared patterns of behavior", "systems of shared meaning and understanding", "...those learned roles of behavior which bound accepted acceptable practice in a group environment", a result of fundamental societal assumption, and the concept of national culture, and argues that the indicator of cultural background should be ethnicity rather than nationality. The author goes on to introduce a continuum between low context and high context cultures, and uses a table to illustrate the difference between low context education perceptions/expectations and high context education perceptions/expectations.

Background: Migrant Asian women reportedly have low levels of contraceptive use and high rates of abortion in New Zealand. Chinese make up the largest proportion of migrant Asian in New Zealand. This study aimed to describe the contraceptive choices of Chinese women seeking abortion; to examine method choice in relation to demographic characteristics (including length of stay) and to determine whether Chinese women were over-represented among abortion clinic attendees. Methods: Retrospective review of medical records at a public hospital abortion clinic involving 305 Chinese women. Previously collected data for European (n = 277) and Maori women (n = 128) were used for comparative analyses. Regression analyses explored correlates of contraceptive method choice. Population census data were used to calculate rates of clinic attendance across ethnic groups. Results: Chinese women were not over-represented among clinic attendees, and had similar rates of contraceptive non-use pre-abortion as women in comparison groups. Use of the oral contraceptive pill by Chinese was lower pre-abortion than for other ethnic groups, but choice of this method post-abortion was similar for Chinese (46.9%, 95% CI 41-52.7) and European women (43.7%, 95% CI 37.8-49.7). Post-abortion choice of an intrauterine device did not differ significantly between Chinese (28.9%, 95% CI 23.8-34.3) and Maori women (37%, 95% CI 28.4-45.7), but was higher than uptake of this method by European women (21.7%, 95% CI 17-27.0). Age, parity and previous abortion were significant predictors of post-abortion method choice by Chinese women (p<0.05). Conclusions: Following contraceptive counseling at the clinic, Chinese women chose more effective contraceptive methods for use post-abortion than they had used previously. As the population of migrant Chinese in New Zealand continues to increase, strategies are urgently needed to provide new arrivals with appropriate information and advice about contraception and where to access it, so women can be better prepared to avoid unplanned pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers the translation of legal personality and the use of the word juridical in the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A proficiency test to assess the capabilities of laboratories to determine melamine in a milk powder and a baking mix, representing starch-containing foods like bread and biscuits, was carried out in January 2009. The need for such an interlaboratory comparison arose from a health scare in China about melamine-tainted powdered milk in the second half of 2008. Laboratories in 31 countries, including Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and the USA, and 21 of the 27 Member States of the European Union participated and reported back 114 results for the milk powder and 112 for the baking mix test materials. The reported results were compared to reference values determined by exact-matching double isotope dilution mass spectrometry. The so-determined assigned values were 10.0 ± 0.6 mg/kg melamine in the milk powder and 3.18 ± 0.17 mg/kg melamine in the baking mix. A coverage factor k of 2 was applied to calculate the expanded uncertainties. Three quarters of all reported results for both materials had associated z scores which were satisfactory ( z ≤ |2|). Of the reported results, 90% was accompanied by a measurement uncertainty statement, and the majority of the measurement uncertainty ranges were reasonable. A number of laboratories were found to underestimate their measurement uncertainties. Methods that involved the use of stable-isotope-labelled melamine were shown to be clearly advantageous with regard to the accuracy of the results. However, no significant influence by other method parameters could be identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]